NFL Combine 2012: Players Who Must Excel in Interviews

The 2012 NFL Scouting Combine is a place for several prospects to significantly alter their draft stock in the eyes of many scouts, and the most important part of this event is the interview portion. 

Players get a chance to talk with NFL teams, which allows them to show their possible future employer who they really are. 

It's also a great chance for these NFL prospects to clear the air about their wrong doings while in college or anything bad that has occurred in their past. 

With that said, here are three players who must excel in the interviews. 

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame 

In March of 2011, Floyd was suspended by the Fighting Irish for a DUI charge. Unfortunately, it was his third run-in with the law over alcohol since 2009. 

These are things NFL teams will remember, and they're going to drill Floyd on it. 

Floyd is a superb talent at wide receiver and he's sure to be a first-rounder. However, he could easily slip toward the bottom if he flops in the interviews. 

This is Floyd's chance to show that he is changed, focused and ready to be an elite NFL wide receiver that doesn't get in trouble off-the-field. If he doesn't make the most of it, his draft stock will greatly suffer. 

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

Since being arrested for marijuana possession shortly after the BCS National Championship Game, it was well known that Kirkpatrick would have to save himself in the interviews.

Hopefully, he had a lot of practice because he is about to get grilled this weekend. 

Yes, the charges were dropped, but the event still took place, and that worries teams. NFL teams want to know that their first-round pick isn't associating himself with a bad entourage, because that will lead to trouble. 

Kirkpatrick will have to shine in these interviews to remain a high first-round pick. 

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State 

Disobeying coaches and costing his team big yards with immature antics on the field is why Burfict is being scrutinized leading up to the draft.

He has top-15 talent, but he will likely be selected near the end of the first round because of his character concerns. 

However, by having a positive demeanor at the combine, Burfict will turn heads and create good buzz around him. 

He's a head case with questionable work ethic, but his skills translate very well to the NFL. A team will gamble on him, but they can feel a lot better in doing so if he knocks his interviews out of the park.